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By JENNIFER WHITNEY

October 12, 2007 | 12:00 a.m. CDT

Sept. 6, 2007 — Charlie often panhandles with a sign that reads, “Anger relief. Will take verbal abuse for spare change.” Michele calls her husband a “21-year-old foolish male” and says he wears her down mentally and emotionally with his needs. “They tell me it’s like I’m taking on three children at a time,” she says. “I’m the main caregiver in the family. They tell me to leave him because I take on the responsibility as his wife to take care of my husband as well as the kids.”